Badger Matilda stories: Sweet treasure and four cubs

Photo: Külli Joonson

Photo: Külli Joonson
Small-leaved lime Harilik pärn Tilia cordata
Among Estonian trees the small-leaved lime is the last to flower this summer.
Some ten foreign species are used in urban landscaping in addition to the naturally occurring small-leaved lime; they all have round or broadly ovate (egg-shaped) leaves, with a roughly cordate (heart) shape and sawtooth margins.
Image from webcam captured by Liz, LK forum
Translation Liis
The storklets grow incredibly fast
Black stork Must-toonekurg Ciconia nigra
On Friday Ain managed to get the camera in working order.
In South Estonia there are still many households without electricity and communications after the storm on Sunday. The largest damage to forests occurred in 13 parishes: Karula, Taheva, Otepää in Valga County; Antsla, Urvaste, Mõniste, Varstu, Võru and Sõmerpalu in Võru County; Kambja and Haaslava in Tartu County, and Kanepi and Valgjärve parishes in Põlva County.
I saw fox cubs at play around a chipping wood stack. This is also a bit of explanation to the fact that the fox burrows in the neighbourhood were empty this year. Why a fox family should prefer chips stacks to the burrows is not clear. In the stacks at field verges brown hares (Lepus europaeus), various rodents, weasels and stoats may also live, in addition to the above foxes and raccoon dogs. In forests there are also pine martens and several more rodent species besides those mentioned. Of birds I have come across wagtails, redbacked shrikes, whitethroats, blackbirds, wrens, robins etc.
.
In addition to the badgers, sometimes also foxes and raccoon dogs live in badger setts but with the changes in the use of wood their choice of places for living has widened in recent years. A new phenomenon in our landscape are the stacks of wood chips. As ever, nature does not like empty space and so new inhabitants have quickly moved into these stacks too. Usually stacks left standing for a somewhat longer period are preferred. Furred as well as feathered species live there.
Copyright 2025 · Looduskalender
Designed by Zymphonies
We also use analytics & advertising services. To opt-out click for more information.